


Est. 1958
COLLECTIONS – CURATED BY SIGNDNA: DEAF NATIONAL ARCHIVE
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (Ko Taku Reo)
Kelston Deaf Education Centre (now Ko Taku Reo; previously Kelston School for the Deaf). Kelston was established on a site in Archibald Road in 1958. The school had relocated firstly from Titirangi, then from Mt Wellington. KDEC used to provide education in a range of satellite classes throughout Auckland the upper North Island. Kelston, which also hosts Rūaumoko Marae, merged with van Asch Deaf Education Centre to become Ko Taku Reo in 2020.

1950
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Titirangi School for the Deaf hosts its annual Christmas party
Deaf students dress up and parade around the back of Titirangi School for the Deaf at its annual Christmas party.

NZSL Stories

1956-57
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Kelston School for Deaf: Clearing of the Ground and Construction
Students from the Titirangi School for the Deaf visit the construction site of the future Kelston School for the Deaf.

NZSL Stories

biography
Profile
Stewart ‘Sen’ Smith (Coronation Medal)
Stewart, or Sen, as he was called – was the president of Auckland Adult Deaf Society from 1947-1954. It was later called the Auckland Deaf Society. The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Est. 1938
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Adult Society Challenge Cup: Table Tennis


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre building progress
The building of the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, followed by footage of the Balmoral Bowling Club, and the newly opened Auckland Harbour Bridge.

NZSL Stories

Est. 1942
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Club Indoor Bowls: Annual Competition


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Auckland Easter Show 1958
Fascinating footage from the Auckland Easter show 1958, including brief footage of Deaf visitors to the show.


Est. 1940
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Club Ladies Table Tennis


2003
video – Taonga source: Mary Johnson
Memories of Owen Gibbons
Owen Gibbons shares some life experiences in this video shot at his home in Auckland. Using various photographs and props, Owen touches on his many Deaf related involvements and memories, including his times at Deaf school, his working life, his passion for Deaf sports and his family.


2002
video – Taonga source: Dorothy Jones
Memories of Marlene Rush
Marlene Rush was the 20th Deaf student to enrol at St Dominics School for the Deaf in 1946. Marlene looks back on her life and involvement with the Deaf community.


Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Deaf Society McRae Cup: The All Round Indoor Sports


Est. 1955
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
75th Jubilee Memorial Shield: Tug-of-War between New Zealand Deaf Societies


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Deaf Societies Sports Convention, Wellington 1958
Deaf Aucklanders make their way down to Wellington in a van for the Labour Weekend sports. Stopping on the way, they prepare for a day of sports and socialising.


biography
Profile
Susan Hamilton
Susan was a very active sportswoman who loved being involved in the Deaf community, regularly attending all community events. A renowned Deaf golfer who could be found out on the green each Saturday, Susan was also the President of the Deaf Association from 1994 to 1998 and its Patron from 2008 to 2016.

1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Collection of Max Howell’s Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls badges and pins


1957
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Souvenir Cigarette Bowl: International Silent Games, brought back from New Zealand’s first deaf athlete


1958
video – Taonga source: Susan Hamilton
Rugby Union: Kelston vs St Kentigern College
Kelston School for the Deaf had a rugby team that played in the secondary school Grade 2C division, coming third in the 1958 season. Kelston beat St Kentigern 16 to 0.


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Laying foundations at Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre
A group of Deaf men busily work on laying the foundations for the new Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre, later to become the property of the Auckland Deaf Society.

NZSL Stories

1950-80s
Object – Taonga source: Pam Witko
Collection of Doreen Howell’s Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls badges and pins


Est. 1956
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
The O’Sullivan Cup: Men’s Darts


Est. 1957
Object – Taonga source: Wellington Deaf Society
Wellington Deaf Society Indoor Bowls: Agg Points


1958
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Foundation Stone Ceremony
The foundation stone ceremony for the Auckland Deaf Welfare Centre 1958.

NZSL Stories

1959
video – Taonga source: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Sumner School for the Deaf Marching Girls
The Deaf Sumner School for the Deaf marching team participate in a marching competition in Auckland, 1958.


1960-70s
Object – Taonga source: Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
Prefect Badge: School for Deaf, Kelston


1958
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Carnival: Friends of the Deaf stall, 1958
The Friends of the Deaf group man a fundraising stall at the Auckland Carnival in Western Springs, Auckland in January 1958.


2015
video – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
History through Young Eyes: Interview with Owen Gibbons
Former Auckland Deaf Society President and life member, Owen Gibbons says that one of his best memories was travelling to the World Deaf Games as part of the New Zealand Deaf basketball mens team. His eyes “literally popped out at what he saw over there!”


Est. 1940
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Auckland Adult Deaf Society: Steel Shield – Draughts


Est. 1950
Object – Taonga source: Auckland Deaf Society
Cunniffe Memorial Cup: N.Z. Deaf Societies Men’s Basketball Challenge Cup
